Tobacco Control Policy to take effect in next school year

Y.E.S. and SWAT team members present at the Sebastian City Council meeting on Feb. 8. Pictured, left to right, are Jasmine St. Aime, Luke Mc Fate (at podium), Mary Burkins and Grace Britt.

Kristen Britt

VERO BEACH - Breathe Free IRC wants to thank all the people, including the School Board of Indian River County, who helped approve the 100 percent Tobacco Control Policy set to go into effect during the next school year.

Five Y.E.S. team members presented at the School Board's Business meeting on Feb. 14 and were well received. The Y.E.S. team is a group of Youth Empowered to Speak, who carry the SWAT (Students Working against Tobacco) prevention message.

The policy, which is still being negotiated with the two labor unions, states: All uses of tobacco products in any form are prohibited in any School Board owned facility or vehicle, on School Board owned property, or at any School Board sponsored event.

The approval of this policy marks the third policy approval this month for tobacco prevention legislative change in Indian River County. Just last week, the City of Vero Beach approved the resolution to establish tobacco-free zones in the city-run playground areas.

Additionally, the City of Sebastian approved the resolution urging the education of local youth with respect to the harmful effects of flavored tobacco products and the enforcement of laws restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products.

All of these policy changes are designed to prevent youth from becoming tobacco users. Statistics show that nearly 90 percent of all adult smokers start before the age of 18. According to the 2010 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, 1,847 Indian River County middle and high school students reported using tobacco products in the past 30 days.

For more information about how you can help the local tobacco prevention effort, contact Mary Burkins at Breathe Free IRC at (772) 770-4811 or www.sacirc.org.